Preferred Citation

Biographical/Historical Note

During the early years of the college, there was little distinction between faculty and administration. The executive government consisted of the president, the teaching faculty and the librarian of the college. This group debated curriculum and discipline questions and drafted the annual report to the Visiting Committee of the
Board of Trustees. By 1875, this role of the executive government was superseded by the faculty meeting, although the records of the two groups overlap for a period of four years. As the college administration expanded, the faculty meeting became more concerned with academic matters and less with administrative policies. The president traditionally sat as head of the faculty. Official minutes of faculty meetings are held by the
Office of the Dean for Academic Affairs until deposited in the archives. Copies of official reports of faculty committees are deposited in the archives when they are submitted to the faculty.

Scope and Content

Records of the faculty begin with the records of executive government in 1805 and continue through the records of the faculty, the reports of the faculty and minutes of faculty meetings, as well as reports presented to the faculty at meetings. Each series documents the governing of the college by the president and faculty. Records of specific faculty committees are also represented, especially the Committee on Educational Policy (CEP), the Recording Committee and the Lectures and Concerts Committee.

Access Restrictions

Collection Inventory

Series Description:

The records of the executive government document the governing of the College by the president and faculty. They include minutes of meetings and votes of the group on curriculum, appointments, and disciplinary matters, including the "drill rebellion" of 1874. The executive government was also responsible for drafting the annual report to the
Visiting Committee of the Governing Boards.

The dates of volumes 4 and 5 overlap the dates of volumes 2 and 3, but each volume is distinct; volumes 4 and 5 are Records of the Executive Government - Miscellaneous. By 1874, the Executive Government was replaced by the faculty meeting although the records of the groups overlap for a period of four years.

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically.

General Note:

Photocopies of volumes 1-4 are available for patron use. The records of the executive government [volumes 1-5] are also available on microfilm.

1.7.2: Minutes of Faculty Meetings, 1871- 2.0 linear feet.

Series Description:

This series contains the official minutes of faculty meetings at Bowdoin College from 1871. May also contain information on votes taken at meetings and reports to the faculty by various committees. Minutes after 1991 can also be found in the Faculty committees series.

1.7.3: Faculty Committees: Official Reports, 1927- 7.0 linear feet.

Series Description:

This series contains official reports of faculty committees. From 1974 through 1994, the official reports of faculty were held by the faculty clerk until deposited in the archives. From 1994, copies of reports are deposited in the archives upon submission to the faculty. Also included are some agendas and duplicate copies of faculty meeting minutes. Beginning with the 2010-2011 academic year, the records include lists of faculty committees and their members.

Series Description:

This series contains agendas and minutes of Curriculum and Educational Policy (CEP) Committee meetings from 1953. The committee is responsible for curriculum development and revision including the assessment of courses of study, methods of instruction, admissions standards and degree and major requirements. The committee consists of faculty members, administrative staff and undergraduate representatives.

Series Description:

This series contains the records of the Study Committee on Graduate Programs from 1966-68. Made possible by a grant from the Research Corporation of New York City, the study was undertaken to examine the feasibility of implementing graduate programs at Bowdoin as one of many possible ways to direct college growth. The final report was published in June 1968. The committee's recommendation for the creation of a General Academic Council to plan future academic programs was never implemented.

1.7.7: Recording Committee: Minutes, 1911- 0.5 linear feet.

Series Description:

This series contains the minutes and records of the faculty Recording Committee from 1911. The first listing of this committee occurs in the 1901 college catalogue, although it is possible that the committee existed before that date.

It appears that the committee's purpose is to approve or deny requests for: changes in majors or grades, study away from Bowdoin, waiving requirements, independent study, self-designed majors, residency requirements, leaves of absence, etc. The committee also approves or denies exceptions to latin honors requirements such as students with an "F" or students who did not reside on campus a minimum amount of time and lists those who graduate.

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically.

Access Restrictions:

Closed for 75 years from date of creation.

Volume

1

1911-1927

2

1927-1954

Box

Folder

1

1

[loose papers removed from Volume 1]

1

2

[loose papers removed from Volume 2]

1

3

Minutes 1977-1980

1

4

Minutes 1980-1981

1

5

Minutes 1981-1982

1

6

1982-1983

1.7.8: Library Committee: Minutes, 1958-59 0.25 linear feet.

Series Description:

This series contains minutes of the faculty's Library Committee, which consults with the College librarian and makes recommendations relative to the operation and services of the libraries.

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically.

Access Restrictions:

Series Description:

The Lectures and Concerts Committee is a faculty committee with staff and student representation which reviews applications from faculty for assistance in funding lectures and concerts. The funds, from the College's operating budget and the Jacob Jasper Stahl Fund, are designated to support lectures or performances that would enhance the regular instruction of the College in the areas of art, letters, life, philosophy or culture. This series contains the committee's annual report to faculty as well as approved applications for funds. Other material relating to the committee may be found in the records of the Dean for Academic Affairs.